16 Celeb Whisky Lovers

28-04-2017

By Emily Stockden

DAVID BECKHAM AND
SIMON FULLER

Diageo launched a single grain whisky called Haig Club, in
collaboration with former footballer David Beckham and British music mogul
Simon Fuller. Created from grain whisky from Cameronbridge distillery, home of
the low-volume Cameronbridge single grain whisky, Haig Club is a 40% abv,
no-age-statement product made from a variety of aged whisky from three types of
cask: first-fill, rejuvenated and refill Bourbon barrels. Haig Club is named
for the family of distillers who founded Cameronbridge Distillery in 1824.

Unfortunately, our Whizzky users haven’t rated it very
highly, describing it as ‘Too smooth to the point of lacking flavour’ and
‘objectively the worst example of the whiskey producing art… ever encountered’.
We’ll leave it to you to decide if it’s worth more (or less) than the 2.4 stars
it’s been granted on Whizzky!

FRANK SINATRA, AVA
GARDNER AND KEITH RICHARDS

Iconic Rat Pack member and Hollywood badboy entertainer
Frank Sinatra’s favourite whiskey was Jack Daniel’s: he famously offered a
toast at the end of his concerts using a glass of Jack Daniel’s. In 2012 Jack
Daniel’s raised their glass back at Frank Sinatra by launching its Sinatra Select
edition to mark the centenary of the star’s birth. It’s rated 4 stars on
Whizzky so clearly the liquid speaks for itself and this isn’t just a great example
of brand marketing alone.

Sinatra is credited with saying, “Alcohol may be man’s worst
enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.”

Once married to Sinatra so it’s no wonder then that Hollywood
actress, Ava Gardner also loved whisky. She famously told a reporter: “I wish to live to 150 years old, but the day I die, I
wish it to be with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the
other.”

Famous Rolling Stones rocker, Keith Richards, is
also a massive Jack Daniel’s fan – he’s often seen with a bottle in his hand on
stage.

WINSTON CHURCHILL

British prime minister and World War II leader Winston
Churchill thoroughly enjoyed a dram of whisky and a fine cigar. He was reported
to have breakfast at 7.30am, a weak Johnnie Walker and soda at 11am and
Champagne at lunchtime!

He is famous for stating during the war in India: “The water
was not fit to drink. To make it palatable, we had to add whisky. By diligent
effort, I learned to like it.”

JOHN WAYNE

John Wayne is another actor who loved whisky. His family
even launched a new Bourbon brand named after the late western star’s nickname,
Duke.

“My father thrived on
new projects and adventures and he always loved a great glass of whiskey at the
end of the day,” said Ethan Wayne. “Our goal with the Duke was to make a
Bourbon that embodies the spirit, strength and richness my father personified
while realizing his unfulfilled dream of distilling fine spirits.”

We aren’t convinced – it sounds like a marketing ploy to
leverage off John Wayne’s fame posthumously to us… Although our Whizzky
community has rated it 4 stars, so perhaps not?

HILARY CLINTON

Hilary Clinton famously knocked back a Crown Royal Canadian
whisky in 2008 – there are even clips on YouTube if you want to watch! Rated 4.4
stars on Whizzky, we are surprised that she chose to shoot it rather than sip
it slowly and savour the flavours.

THE SCRIPT

Irish pop band The Script love Irish whiskey – they’ve even
invested in a cask of Kilbeggan whiskey which lead singer Danny O’Donoghue
claims is maturing alongside Barack Obama’s cask. According to The Daily Star, Guitarist Mark Sheehan
said: “We’re into whiskey and I invest in it.”

MILA KUNIS

Actress Mila Kunis, has been the face of Jim Beam. “As a fan
of Bourbon and a huge proponent of making history, I am thrilled to be the
newest member of the Jim Beam family,” said Kunis, who was personally educated
on Jim Beam by its master distiller Fred Noe, including how to perfect the
“Kentucky chew”.

However, Kunis said her appreciation of Bourbon was
developed a few years ago, telling Details magazine: “I wanted something that I
could sip on that was delicious. And so I started drinking bourbon. It’s hard
for me to sip vodka. And bourbon has a nice warm tingle going down.”

She’s not the only one who claims a love of Jim Beam – so
did Kid Rock! With only 3 stars on Whizzky it seems our community of 14 000
rate it as somewhat average.

MARK TWAIN

We couldn’t leave out Samuel Clemens, otherwise known as
Mark Twain – most whisky lovers are familiar with his witty one-liners like: “I
always take Scotch whisky at night as a preventive of toothache. I have never
had the toothache; and what is more, I never intend to have it.”

He also said: “Too much of anything is bad, but too much
good whisky is never enough”. You can buy Glencairn whisky glasses with that phrase
printed on them.

MUMFORD AND SONS

British folk pop band Mumford & Sons have promised that
they will create their own whisky in future. The band loves whisky so much that
they hired Caskstrength (former music moguls) to make whisky cocktails
backstage for guests during their Gentlemen of the Road tour.

KIEFER SUTHERLAND

The Spencerfield Spirts website mentions that Kiefer
Sutherland is a fan of their Sheep Dip blend. Whizzky users have rated it a 3.1
out of 5 which is, well, an average rating at best. Sutherland also produced a
country music album called ‘Not Enough Whisky’ early in 2016 – it seems to have
received really, really bad reviews so that’s all we’ll say about it.

SEAN CONNERY

Laphroaig Islay single malt Scotch whisky and American Film
Institute (AFI) President Jean Picker Firstenberg presented a very rare 40 Year
Old bottle of the celebrated and world-renowned Scotch whisky to Sir Sean
Connery, winner of the 2006 AFI Life Achievement Award in June 2008.

The AFI Life Achievement Award was established in 1973 and
honors an individual whose career in motion pictures or television has greatly
contributed to the enrichment of American culture. Past recipients include Bette Davis, Fred
Astaire, Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese and Barbara Streisand.

Laphroaig is aged in Maker's Mark bourbon barrels and stored
in a warehouse by the sea. It’s also the
only whisky to bear a Royal Warrant bestowed by HRH Prince Charles himself in
1994. Over the years, the Duke has paid Laphroaig 3 visits and the Royal
Warrant was issued during the year of his first visit in 1994. He returned as
part of his 60th birthday celebrations in 2008.

Laphroaig 40 Year Old rests in European oak as opposed to
American oak, which is most commonly used.
The exquisite and very rare 40 Year Old marque retails for around £1 000
pounds, approximately $1 800.

HARRISON
FORD

There is a limited edition of 424 bottles of
Bruichladdich Valinch that has an image of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones on
the label. It is signed 'For the Laddies at Bruichladdich, I like your work.
Harrison Ford'. In Indiana Jones lettering, the label says 'Temple of the
Drams'.

In the movie “Morning Glory”, anchorman
Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) explains to Becky (Rachel McAdams) how this amazing
40 Year Old Bruichladdich has the power to bring him back from the brink.
Apparently he insisted on having a bottle of Bruichladdich's finest on his desk
in the newsroom scenes. There is a line in the movie where he points to the
bottle and says “I only drink it on special occasions.”

Ford sent a signed photo to thank Bruichladdich for
the bottles that they supplied for the movie – as well as the special bottle provided
for Ford himself – on which he had written "For the laddies at
Bruichladdich, I like your work."

LADY GAGA

Lady Gaga said, while swigging from a bottle of
whiskey on stage, "I have made so much of my music with Jameson. I'm not
being paid a cent to advertise the whiskey... I should be. The whiskey has made
my new songs."

The 26-year-old made
more than €55m after just 26 dates into her 122-date 'Born This Way Ball' world
tour, so it only seems fitting that she gave Jameson a heartfelt punt!